Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-07
CATARRH.

CATARRH.
THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
l. peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive of very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characterist
feature is a morbid discharge from the head
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there Is an almost constant flow
of clear, aCrid fluid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco.purulent, greenish- yellow
matter is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or expectoration, and often by both
processes sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, SO, great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid Is its odor The pa
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head, and as a recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are obliged to lie .ith
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
In others tough, yiscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in The passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lodgment embarrasses respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to a constant and almost Irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucns into the throat so as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, popularly known
as .'hawking," is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him.
Again, the offensive matter .hardens and
deposits itself on the membrane in the shane
OF dry, hard concretions. which are dis
charged by way of the nostrils or throat in
nr frQf nnpltc 0f daar.
some cases these incrustatfons accumulate
to such an extent as to form regular plug
in the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort So firmly do
these incrustations adhere to the point of
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the MEM
brane. Occasionally a solid cast of notable
size is expelled, on which there are gems rally
| traces OF blood, but in some cases the cast
presents a tubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition Is
| indicative OF liberation, which, in time,
| may destroy the bony structure of the nose
and produce subsequent flattening of that
organ
thick, viscid, Shiny secretion coats the
| membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefes, giving rise to a stencil which is
really overpowering,, and sufficiently fetid
| to poison the atmosphere of a whole room;
and there are others in which all the secre-
| tons of the membrane are suspended, caus-
ing. an unpleasant feeling of dryness, heat
ana feverishness in the head and nOse--a
Go1eIth condit1on popularity known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
| cavities OF the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to DIST essing sensation OF
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially In the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to a feeling Of fulness,
heat, irritation, sort ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root of the nose as well as in
the upper part of the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top of the
head, at the back of the neck, or behind the
orbits and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face of so severe character
that 1t is frequently mistaken for neuralgia
The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an exceeding. fetid and sickening
odor. In some cases it becomes so revolt
| 1ngly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object of disgust to himself as well as to
| Others
| The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both. giving rise. to a
d1sagreeable, stuffy sensation in the head,
and occasioning violent and prolonged
parOxysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, Indistinct and husky,
or or Of 81 nasal character, displaying a sort Of
smiling quality. Oftentimes there is cou-
tlnuous hoarseness and discordance. There
is also sense of irritation in the part,
ana frequent attempts to clear the throat Of
or less forcibly. In some % cases % patients
complain of an uncomfortable feeling of
| fullness or choky sensation in the throat,
ana IN others of distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief Of
which they have to swallow frequently.
Others; again, speak of a constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth Oh throat.
The stomach g generally suffers more or less
tite is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
70 perform mental or physical labor with
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agitated and.
| inclined to drowsiness and sleep, the mem
| ory weakened and permanent Impairment
| seriously threatened
morDidly sensitive to unfavorable influ-
ences, and in spite of the utmost care be.
comes affected from the slightest causes, so
tnat at last breath Of wind upon the lining
cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
Of the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
Is subject to frequent and repeated colds
ing it new impulse and involving a larger
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difhculty spreads from or
gan to organ. invading the throat, larnyx,
croaching further and further, It reaches
the finer ramifcatiOns of the bronchi, whom
but slight impulse is required to send it to
| thC lungs. OhtdTEA may, anu OILen docs.
affect other organs In the body, especiaiiy
those containing mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
BY the employment OF proper inhalatlons
or spray) we are able to produce Immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
In the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
| intricate cavities, where it is utterly impos.
sible to make fluid applications BY these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
OF practice can use the remedy at home as
well as ut our office, and which will cause
whatever.
that do not consider any case honeIess nm
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the inhalations aid us in diA.
SOWING the mucus and in contracting ana
healing the cavities, which nothing else can
90 with the same success. The very best